Shower facility

ABSTRACT

A shower facility mounted on a wheeled frame having towing and safety equipment for transporting the facility by a powered vehicle from place to place over public roadways. The facility is divided into a central utility section and two end shower sections. The utility section contains the equipment necessary to supply water and power to the shower sections with the shower sections each containing a plurality of individual shower units. Each shower unit is divided into a dressing unit and a shower stall and is provided with a coin-operated means which can spray shower water and disinfectant into the shower stall and can actuate a heat lamp to warm the dressing room.

United States Patent Dowd [4 1 June 13, 1972 [5 SHOWER FACILITY FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS [72 Inventor: Joseph F. Dowd, PO. Box 92, Batch, N. 760,101 2/1934 France ..4/ 145 Mex. 87937 P Ex H rimary aminerenry K. Artis 1 F1led= Feb-23,1971 Attorney-Kenneth R. Glaser and JohnF. Booth [21] Appl. No: 118,071 ABSTRACT A shower facility mounted on a wheeled frame having towing [52] U.S. C1. ..4/145, 4/11 and sat-fly equipment for transporting the facility by a [51] Int. Cl. ..A47k 3/22 Powered vehicle from place to place over public roadways. [58] Field of The facility is divided into a central utility section and two end 4/1, 166, 167 shower sections. The utility section contains the equipment necessary to supply water and power to the shower sections [56] References Cited with the shower sections each containing a plurality of individual shower units. Each shower unit is divided into a UNITED STATES PATENTS dressing unit and a shower stall and is provided with a coinoperated means which can spray shower water and disinfec- 2,56l,265 7/1951 Burns 4:146 tamimotheshowerstanand can actuateaheatlampm warm 2,817,091 12/1957 Pamten. ...4/ X the dressing room 2,817,846 12/1957 Stlft ...4/11 X 3,594,825 7/1971 Reid ..4/2 7Claims, 6Drawing figures PATENTEDJUH13 m2 3.668.710

sum 2 or 2 INVENTOR JOSEPH F. DOWD' SHOWER FACILITY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to shower facilities and more particularly to a new and improved portable shower facility which can be utilized in various locations to supply power and water and provide an efficient and sanitary public facility.

Those concerned with providing sanitary facilities to the public have long recognized the need for shower facilities at or near bus, airplane and train terminals, service stations, construction sites, remote work areas, factories, military operations, disaster areas, and recreational areas such as state parks, race tracks and the like.

The need for these facilities in some cases is temporary or seasonal, thus creating the need for a mobile facility. It should also be noted that due to the variety of types of areas in which these facilities are required that the conditions under which these facilities are used vary drastically. Thus, if one mobile facility is to be used in more than one location, it must have provisions for operation under different conditions such as extreme weather conditions, high or low water supply pressure, clean or dirty water, and with gas, electrical or even no local power supply at all. In addition to the above requirements, the facility must be economical to operate, and transport while providing clean and sanitary shower facilities for the public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is the provision of a shower facility which can be transported from place to place over public roads.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a portable shower facility which can be utilized in remote areas with a minimum of support facilities.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a portable shower facility which can utilize surface or well water.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable shower facility which can be used by the public and is clean and sanitary in operation.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of a portable shower facility which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, transport and operate.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a shower facility which is coin-operated.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a plan. view of an embodiment of the portable shower facility of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a section of the device taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the device rotated 180 partly in section with the roof and doors removed for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 4 illustrates a section of the device taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 illustrates a section of the device taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a section of the device taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, wherein like referenced characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 an embodiment of the portable shower facility of the present invention and for purposes of reference is generally designated by numeral 10. As can be seen, this facility 10 is mounted on a wheeled frame 12 and is provided with a hitch assembly 14, a suitable brake system and standard operating lights 30 so that the facility 10 can be attached to and safely towed by a powered vehicle over a road or similar surface to its location of use. The hitch assembly 14 utilized in the present invention can be of any suitable type well known in the art and commonly available in the market.

Once the facility 10 is in the desired position, the vehicle is detached, and the jacks 16 are lowered to rigidly support the facility 10 in position as shown. These jacks 16 are shown as being of a telescoping hydraulic type which can retract into the facility 10 while the facility is being transported and can extend out and lock into position when the facility is orientated as shown in FIG. 1. By utilizing the jacks 16, the facility can be used on non-level surfaces with the floor of the facility held in a level position.

The facility 10 can be constructed from a laminated fiberglass with polyethylene insulation or the like to insulate the facility against extreme exterior temperatures.

The facility 10 is provided with three doors 18, 20 and 22 which provide access to the interior of the facility, two smaller doors, 24 and 26, and a utility box 28. The function and operation of these doors and the utility box will be hereinafter described. The facility 10 can also be equipped with two stairway units 32 and 34 which can be carried with the facility and placed adjacent the doors l8 and 22 respectively and adjusted to the correct height so that individuals using the facility can climb up to the level of the doors l8 and 22 and gain access to the facility 10. These stairway units 32 and 34 can be collapsible or can be attached to the side of the facility so that they will fold down into position when desired.

Turning specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that the facility is divided by walls 42 and 44 into front and rear shower sections 36 and 38, respectively, and a centrally located utility .that individuals may enter the shower sections. The door 20 provides access to the utility section 40 so that the equipment located within the utility section can be serviced as required. This door 20 is provided with a lock to prevent unauthorized entrance into the utility section 40 and thus protects the equipment from thefi and vandalism.

Each of the shower sections 36 and 38 have an anteroo area 46 the floor of which can be covered with carpeting of the type which is not damaged by contact with water. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the end walls 37 and 39 of the shower sections 36 and 38 each have a shelf 48 which extends completely across the facility 10. Two wash basins 50 are illustrated as being mounted in each of the shelves 48 with dressing mirrors 52 positioned therebehind. The wash basins 50 are provided with water taps (not shown) to supply water and the mirrors have lights and reflectors 60 to illuminate the mirror. A plurality of skylights 58 can be provided in the roof of the anterooms 46 to provide additional lighting. A plurality of electrical outlets 62 can also be provided for powering electric shavers, hairdryers and the like. The two basins 50 are shown for illustration purposes only and it is contemplated that more could be provided as required and dictated by the width and size of the facility 10. Each of the anterooms 46 can be provided with a plurality of coin-operated dispensing machines 54 which can be utilized to dispense items such as combs, soap, paper towels, hair tonic and the like. Two refuse receptacles 56 are located in each of the anterooms to provide a place where discarded items may be placed. These refuse receptacles 56 can be emptied from the exterior of the unit by means of the doors 24 and 26, thus avoiding the necessity of entering the facility to empty the refuse receptacles.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that three shower units 64 adjoin each of the anterooms 46, but it is contemplated that more or less units 64 could be provided depending on the size of the facility 10. Each ofthe shower units 64 can be constructed in one piece from molded fiberglass and divided into a shower stall 66 and a dressing unit 68 and provided with a movable shower curtain 70 to prevent water from splashing from the shower stall 66 into the dressing unit 68. A skylight 69 (shown in FIG. 1) can also be located in the roof of the unit to provide light therein.

The dressing units 68 are separated from the anterooms 46 by doors 72 which are shown in detail in FIG. 5. These doors 72 can each be provided with a lock 73 which is operated from the inside thereof to insure privacy of the shower units 64 while they are in use. Each of the dressing units 68 is provided with a bench 74 which can be utilized during dressing and undressing and a hook for hanging clothes to prevent them from falling on the floor. An electric heat lamp or other type of heating apparatus (not shown) can be provided in the roof or walls of the dressing unit 68 for use in warming the interior thereof. A pair of drains 76 are provided in each of the shower units 64 with one drain being located in the floor of the shower stall 66 and the other being located in the floor of the dressing unit 68 to drain the water from the floor thereof.

A shower head 78 is provided in each of the shower stalls 66 and each has suitable controls for regulating the pressure and temperature of the water supplied to the shower head by the apparatus provided in the utility section 40. The shower stalls 66 are each provided with a disinfectant dispenser (not shown) which can spray disinfectant onto the floor of the unit and feet of the user to prevent the spread of disease. A coinoperated mechanism 80 can be provided in each shower unit to control the operation of the shower, the heat lamp, and disinfectant dispenser. This coin-operated mechanism.80 can be located-in the dressing area 68 to operate the facility when the correct amount of currency is placed in the mechanism and can be assembled in accordance with coin handling mechanisms which are well known in the art.

, 1 The utility section 40 of the facility 10 is provided with apparatus which enable the facility to be utilized in remote areas where all utilities are not available. This utility section 40 contains a water heater and storage tank 100 which is utilized to heat the water to the temperature which is comfortable to the user of the shower facility. This water heater can be a type which uses natural gas, butane or electric power so that it can be operated with various types of utilities. A butane tank 101 can be provided to supply power to the facility 10 when other power is unavailable. A water pump 102 can also be'provided to pump the water from a well or a surface source for utilization in the facility at locations where pressurized water is unavailable. This pump 102 can be either electrical, gas or butane powered so that it may be operated under various conditions. A commercially available water softener 104 and water filter 106 are also provided to control the quality of the water supplied to the unit. A pressure reducing valve 108 is provided in the incoming water line to control the pressure of the water supplied to the facility 10 to prevent damage to the water handling apparatus located within the facility. A storage tank 109 for liquid disinfectant is also located in the utility section 40. An exhaust fan (not shown) can be provided in the roof of the utility section 40 to keep the apparatus located therein from overheating. The utility box 28 can be used for attaching to the available water and power sources at the various sites and is provided with a self-locking feature so that the connections are tamper-proof.

OPERATION OF THE DEVICE The advantages and the features of this invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the operation of the shower facility 10. Initially, the facility is attached by means of the hitch assembly 14 to the rear of a transport vehicle such as a )-ton capacity truck or the like and pulled to the site at which the facility is to be used. The vehicle is then detached from the hitch assembly 14 and the jacks 16 are lowered to level and position the facility 10 as required. The stairway units 32 and 34 are then placed adjacent the access doors 18 and 22, respectively. Next, the facility is attached to the available utilities by means of the utility box 28, and after this is complete, the facility is ready for use.

To utilize the facility 10, an individual enters one of the anterooms 46 by means of either door 18 or 22 and purchases those items which he may require from the coin-operated dispensing apparatus 54. The user then enters one of the shower units 64 and closes and locks the door 72 behind him. The user then disrobes in the dressing unit 68, hangs his clothes on the hook provided and places the correct amount of currency into the coin-operated mechanism 80, whereupon the shower unit begins operation. First the coin-operated mechanism starts the flow of water through the shower head and the user adjusts the water temperature and spray to his satisfaction. The water temperature is regulated at the water heater to prevent any injury to the user, even at the hottest possible water selection. The mechanism then dispenses a disinfectant to cover the entire floor and feet of the user to reduce the possibility of infection. After a specified period of time, the flow of water stops, but just prior to the time that the water stops, the heat lamp in the dressing area 68 is activated so that the ambient temperature will be raised and no discomfort will be experienced by the user from being wet.

After drying and dressing, the user leaves the shower unit 64 to comb or brush his hair and shave at the wash basins 50 provided in the anteroom 46. He can then dispose of waste materials into the refuse receptacles 56 and leave the facility 10.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is desired to be secured by Letters Patent in the United States is: t Y

1. A portable facility for movement from site to site by use of a powered vehicle comprising: i

a rigid frame, a plurality of wheels suspended from said frame for movably supporting said facility;

hitch means on said frame for removably attaching said frame to the powered vehicle for transporting said facility; and

a body supported on said frame, said body having an interior area, said interior area being divided into first, second and third sections, said first and second sections having a plurality of shower units therein, said first and second sections being positioned adjacent the ends of said body with said third section being centrally positioned between said first and second sections, said third section having utility means for supplying power and water to said facility.

2. A portable facility as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second sections each comprise an anteroom with a doorway to the exterior of the facility, a plurality of separate shower units, closable privacy door separating said anteroom from each of said shower units, said shower units being located on one side of said anterooms adjacent said third section, each of said shower units comprising a dressing unit and a shower stall, a movable partition separating said dressing unit and said shower stall to prevent water from splashing into said dressing unit, and shower means in said shower stalls for supplying and controlling a spray of shower water.

3. A portable facility as defined in claim 2 wherein said shower means is coin-operated.

4. A portable facility as defined in claim 2 wherein heat means is located in said dressing room for providing heat.

heat means for a limited period of time.

7. A portable facility as defined in claim 1 wherein said utility means comprises means for heating water supplied to said facility, water pressure regulator means for limiting the maximum water pressure supplied to said facility, water filter means for filtering the water supplied to said facility and water softener means for conditioning the water supplied to said facility and circuit means for supplying power to said facility. 

1. A portable facility for movement from site to site by use of a powered vehicle comprising: a rigid frame, a plurality of wheels suspended from said frame for movably supporting said facility; hitch means on said frame for removably attaching said frame to the powered vehicle for transporting said facility; and a body supported on said frame, said body having an interior area, said interior area being divided into first, second and third sections, said first and second sections having a plurality of shower units therein, said first and second sections being positioned adjacent the ends of said body with said third section being centrally positioned between said first and second sections, said third section having utility means for supplying power and water to said facility.
 2. A portable facility as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second sections each comprise an anteroom with a doorway to the exterior of the facility, a plurality of separate shower units, closable privacy door separating said anteroom from each of said shower units, said shower units being located on one side of said anterooms adjacent said third section, each of said shower units comprising a dressing unit and a shower stall, a movable partition separating said dressing unit and said shower stall to prevent water from splashing into said dressing unit, and shower means in said shower stalls for supplying and controlling a spray of shower water.
 3. A portable facility as defined in claim 2 wherein said shower means is coin-operated.
 4. A portable facility as defined in claim 2 wherein heat means is located in said dressing room for providing heat.
 5. A portable facility as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said shower means additionally comprises a disinfectant dispenser for spraying disinfectant onto the floor and feet of an individual using the shower stall and wherein said utility means additionally comprises disinfectant supplying means.
 6. A portable facility as defined in claim 5 wherein said shower means is coin-operated for first operatively actuating said shower means for a limited period of time, second actuating said disinfectant dispenser for a limited period of time during actuation of said shower means, and third actuating said heat means for a limited period of time.
 7. A portable facility as defined in claim 1 wherein said utility means comprises means for heating water supplied to said facility, water pressure regulator means for limiting the maximum water pressure supplied to said facility, water filter means for filtering the water supplied to said facility and water softener means for conditioning the water supplied to said facility and circuit means for supplying power to said facility. 